#Humility

“Work for a cause, not for applause. Live life to express, not to impress. Don’t strive to make your presence noticed,just make your absence felt.”

Wow. To the core this speaks to me. Chills.Where to start… This is a crazy one for me. I have three kids of my own and realize the importance of self-worth, certainty, and confidence as a young child. Be your own person. Etc. For these characteristics will mold you into a confident, successful adult, right? If only it were that simple.

There is definitely a fine line between Arrogance and Humility, finding the line falling more in favor of the first these days. Sigh.

Arrogance –Having or revealing an exaggerated sense of one’s own importance or abilities: haughty · conceited

Humility –The quality or condition of being humble; modest opinion or estimate of one’s own importance, rank.

Understanding that the delights, pains and needs of others are as important as our own is the essence of humility. Humility makes us aware of our personal limitations and the limitations of humanity more broadly. Humility opens us to growth and love.

Black and White. Wouldn’t you agree? Yet I live in Grey. #TrueStory (more on that at a later date) Arrogance & Humility. The Yin and Yang if you will. I find social media fueling the flame. But First, lemme take a Selfie. This generation has single handily taught the collective whole how to be self-centered. Vain. Prideful. Their life is centered around “Likes” & “Filters”. This is the new norm. I still giggle when I see a Mama puckerin’ up for her duck face selfie. I ain’t pointin’ fingers darlings. I’m guilty too. Busted.

Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are. ~Malcolm S. Forbes

Think About-

Serving others is the best way to limit your rank, to humble you.

Just this past Christmas I was taking my youngest, Amelia, to school and we drove past a barefoot homeless woman in shorts sitting in the grass. Amelia immediately noticed and became quite upset. A zillion questions followed. Well, maybe not quite a zillion but I’m sure you get the picture.

I dropped her off at school and decided to drive back the way we came, out of our norm. And there she was, still sitting. I’m going to buy her some shoes. Yes. That’s what I’ll do. I have to tell you the excitement was overwhelming. My heart was racing. I ran into Kohls at 8am and ran back to the shoes. My heart was pounding, worried she would leave. It’s winter. The girl needs a pair of boots. Guess what? Perfect pair. Black.

Leather. On Sale. I grabbed them (size 10) Why? Because I knew they would fit. Now a pair of socks.Check!

I ran to the register anxiously waiting to pay, praying she would still be there. I grabbed the sack and ran out to parking lot and she had moved; she was walking away.

I jumped in my car and zoomed towards her. Parked. Jumped out. I started saying Hi & waving so she’d stop walking. She shooed me away. I proceeded to tell her I had some boots for her. The look on her face was priceless. What happened next, I’ll never forget.

She asked me my name. She wouldn’t tell me hers. I told her we wanted to buy her a warm pair of boots for the winter as a Christmas present. She teared up and said she was going to give them to her Mom as a Christmas present. That she’d always wanted a pair and she couldn’t wait to give them to her while she stood in flip flops.

#Humility. Putting others before yourself. I was floored. A bit shocked. Proud. We hugged. She asked me if her breath smelled like beer and blew in my face. I laughed. She did too. I said no. She said good. I’m going to go see my Mama and give her new boots. She got on the city bus. I waved #Humility…Life changed for me.

Action Item –

Be Humble. Serve others. Go volunteer and help another human today. It’s the greatest form of humility. It is indeedAmazing and #BAM worthy

Tell us about it in our closed FB group here… Can’t wait to hear your stories. Smile.